Did you know that everyday household items can quietly affect your hearing health? We usually think of hearing damage as something loud concerts or industrial noise can cause, but there are sneaky culprits right in our homes. Here’s a closer look at some of these unexpected threats and what you can do to keep your hearing safe.
The Sound of Appliances
Ever noticed the constant hum of your dishwasher or washing machine? While it might not wake the neighbors, that consistent background noise can slowly chip away at your hearing. Even your trusty refrigerator has its own 24/7 hum that can fill the kitchen with background noise. Hair dryers are also very loud, and very close to your ears. That close-up high-pitched roar can be a hearing hazard if you’re not careful.
Personal Listening Devices
Those earbuds or headphones playing your favorite tunes might not be as ear-splitting as a rock concert, but they’re a lot closer to your eardrums for much longer.
Tools and Other Items
From vacuum cleaners to power tools, many household items produce more noise than you might think. For example, the vacuum cleaner isn’t just cleaning the carpet – the hum is slowly affecting your hearing. Power tools, like drills and saws, can also produce some serious noise that can cause hearing loss over time.
Children’s Toys
Toys with built-in sound effects can be a ton of fun, but they’re also a source of noise pollution. The more exposure you and your kids have to these loud toys, the more it can affect everyone’s hearing.
Outdoor Noise
For all you DIY warriors and garden enthusiasts, lawnmowers and leaf blowers can be noisy companions. Regular exposure without hearing protection can be risky and can start to impact your hearing health. And if you live near a busy road, the constant traffic noise can also contribute to hearing issues.
How to Keep Your Hearing Happy
Okay, now that we’ve unmasked these sneaky hearing hazards, let’s talk about how to protect your hearing health at home.
Volume Control: When you’re jamming to your tunes, keep the volume at a reasonable level. We recommend the 60/60 rule. Never exceed 60% of the maximum volume and take a break every 60 minutes. This helps manage dangerous sound levels and helps you protect your hearing.
Noise-canceling headphones can help block out external sounds, so you can listen at a lower volume and still enjoy your music.
Ear Protection: For tasks involving power tools, lawnmowers, vacuum cleaners, or any loud activity, wear ear protection. Earplugs or earmuffs are your best friends when it comes to noisy chores.
Time Limits: Don’t overdo it with noisy household chores. Share the workload with your family to limit your exposure. Let someone else handle the vacuuming or mowing from time to time.
Quiet Zones: Create spots in your home where you and your family can relax without the constant noise of appliances and gadgets. These quiet areas are perfect for some peaceful downtime. You can create an area where TVs, phones, and noisy toys are not allowed.
Kid-Friendly Toys: When picking toys for the kiddos, look for ones with adjustable volume or opt for toys that promote imagination rather than relying on sounds for entertainment.
Educate the Family: Share what you’ve learned about household noise with your family. The more they know, the more responsibly they’ll use gadgets and devices. You can also encourage your children to listen responsibly with parent settings, allowing you to monitor their volume levels.
Noise Reduction Hacks: For some items, explore ways to make them quieter. You can look for appliances known for their silent operation or make noise-reducing modifications.
Protecting Your Peace
Your home should be a peaceful retreat, not a hearing hazard zone. By taking these steps to lower your exposure, you can enjoy a quiet environment without the worry of hearing damage. We also recommend regular visits with your hearing health specialist. We’ll help you monitor your hearing health and give you more tips and strategies for protecting your hearing. Along with hearing aids, we also have custom hearing protection so that you can safeguard your hearing wherever you are.